How do you select the right cam?
#1104512
10/31/11 02:10 AM
10/31/11 02:10 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339 California
moparbroz
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339
California
|
I have a 440 E stamp non HP. The guy I bought it from had it in a truck that he was going to tow a trailer with. It is rebuilt and never ran. I am eventually going to run HP exhaust manifolds so that part is known. I have not yet selected a carburetor and can go any direction I need to on that. I want a streetable HP cam for my 1972 Plymouth SSP. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Hebrews 11:1
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1104514
10/31/11 02:57 AM
10/31/11 02:57 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339 California
moparbroz
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339
California
|
Stock heads and I don't know what pistons are installed. It is a non HP build I am fairly certain. It's not a magnum.
Hebrews 11:1
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: moparbroz]
#1104515
10/31/11 03:48 AM
10/31/11 03:48 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
|
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
|
Quote:
Stock heads and I don't know what pistons are installed. It is a non HP build I am fairly certain. It's not a magnum.
So if we assume there factory pistons then there around .080" or there abouts in the hole, thats if it wasn't bored & just a re-ring, You really need to find out before picking a cam, If there factory the compressions around 8.6-8.7.1 for the 69 non HP 440. Without guessing you may need to pop a head off & check, because if they installed the run of the mill badger pistons in the cheapo rebuild kit they sit low in the deck & the compression won't be over 8.1
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: autoxcuda]
#1104517
10/31/11 06:04 AM
10/31/11 06:04 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa
340SHORTY
Truck Nut
|
Truck Nut
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
|
call one of the cam builders.. give them all the info and they will advise the best cam for you...
I am truckless..
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1104520
10/31/11 10:23 AM
10/31/11 10:23 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339 California
moparbroz
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 339
California
|
Sounds good. I will pull a head and get back to you guys. Thanks.
Hebrews 11:1
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: moparbroz]
#1104521
10/31/11 03:35 PM
10/31/11 03:35 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
super gas
|
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
|
Quote:
Sounds good. I will pull a head and get back to you guys. Thanks.
Very smart move, otherwise A GOOD cam guy will want to know what the compression ratio is, if they don't, I wouldn't trust them, Tim at Bullet cams knows his stuff & he knows Mopar.
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: joedust451]
#1104522
10/31/11 03:44 PM
10/31/11 03:44 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
|
how do I pick a cam?
I call a cam maker and ask them to pick it for me!
but, they WILL want to know all the info that was already asked...compression ratio or at least the info to calculate it, like flat top, dished, valve reliefs, domed etc. on the pistons, how far in the hole, how thick the head gasket, open/closed chamber heads, etc.
plus vehicle weight, rear gear ratio, auto vs stick, power brakes vs standard, etc.
all that information is needed so they know if you need good idle vacuum for the brake booster, or if you can get away with less idle vacuum on standard brakes, where the stall will flash too, etc, so they don't give you a power band that's all used up by the time your converter finally "grabs", etc.
**Photobucket sucks**
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#1104523
10/31/11 08:45 PM
10/31/11 08:45 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 863 Pinelands , NJ
joelson6
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 863
Pinelands , NJ
|
Quote:
how do I pick a cam?
I call a cam maker and ask them to pick it for me!
but, they WILL want to know all the info that was already asked...compression ratio or at least the info to calculate it, like flat top, dished, valve reliefs, domed etc. on the pistons, how far in the hole, how thick the head gasket, open/closed chamber heads, etc.
plus vehicle weight, rear gear ratio, auto vs stick, power brakes vs standard, etc.
all that information is needed so they know if you need good idle vacuum for the brake booster, or if you can get away with less idle vacuum on standard brakes, where the stall will flash too, etc, so they don't give you a power band that's all used up by the time your converter finally "grabs", etc.
general rule of thumb
.390 to .450 lift = stock
.450 to .500 lift = sweet
.500 to .570 lift = hold on
over .570 = check your shorts
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: joelson6]
#1104526
10/31/11 10:53 PM
10/31/11 10:53 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
|
Quote:
general rule of thumb
.390 to .450 lift = stock
.450 to .500 lift = sweet
.500 to .570 lift = hold on
over .570 = check your shorts
Huh? Comp, lunati and hughes make some hydraulic cams near .500 lift that aren't much more aggressive than a stock cam. And typically the duration that comes with a .500 lift cam vs a .570 lift cam is a huge difference. Using valve lift to describe camshaft characteristics was MP's old way of educating the ignorant back in the day.
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1104527
10/31/11 11:21 PM
10/31/11 11:21 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 863 Pinelands , NJ
joelson6
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 863
Pinelands , NJ
|
Quote:
Quote:
general rule of thumb
.390 to .450 lift = stock
.450 to .500 lift = sweet
.500 to .570 lift = hold on
over .570 = check your shorts
Huh? Comp, lunati and hughes make some hydraulic cams near .500 lift that aren't much more aggressive than a stock cam. And typically the duration that comes with a .500 lift cam vs a .570 lift cam is a huge difference. Using valve lift to describe camshaft characteristics was MP's old way of educating the ignorant back in the day.
what part of general rule of thumb didn't you get? i figures i get a response like that.
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: joelson6]
#1104528
11/01/11 12:19 AM
11/01/11 12:19 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
general rule of thumb
.390 to .450 lift = stock
.450 to .500 lift = sweet
.500 to .570 lift = hold on
over .570 = check your shorts
Huh? Comp, lunati and hughes make some hydraulic cams near .500 lift that aren't much more aggressive than a stock cam. And typically the duration that comes with a .500 lift cam vs a .570 lift cam is a huge difference. Using valve lift to describe camshaft characteristics was MP's old way of educating the ignorant back in the day.
what part of general rule of thumb didn't you get? i figures i get a response like that.
A general rule of thumb is something that makes some basic level of sense. Like rightey tighey, left loosey. Or 10psi oil pressure per 1000rpm. Or going with a 3" dual exhaust for anything over 475hp. Lumping a .500 lift cam together with a .570 cam does not make any sense. At all. And only serves to further confuse those who do not have a good understanding of camshaft timing fundamentals. There's way too much variation in cam design for blanket statements like yours to have any use.
|
|
|
Re: How do you select the right cam?
[Re: joelson6]
#1104530
11/01/11 09:18 AM
11/01/11 09:18 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI
patrick
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123
Grand Haven, MI
|
Quote:
Quote:
how do I pick a cam?
I call a cam maker and ask them to pick it for me!
but, they WILL want to know all the info that was already asked...compression ratio or at least the info to calculate it, like flat top, dished, valve reliefs, domed etc. on the pistons, how far in the hole, how thick the head gasket, open/closed chamber heads, etc.
plus vehicle weight, rear gear ratio, auto vs stick, power brakes vs standard, etc.
all that information is needed so they know if you need good idle vacuum for the brake booster, or if you can get away with less idle vacuum on standard brakes, where the stall will flash too, etc, so they don't give you a power band that's all used up by the time your converter finally "grabs", etc.
general rule of thumb
.390 to .450 lift = stock
.450 to .500 lift = sweet
.500 to .570 lift = hold on
over .570 = check your shorts
lift doesn't really mean squat...it's duration that will determine the drivability....a MP .484" lift cam is a pretty wild cam, because it's ~240@.050 duration, with lots of overlap, while say the hydraulic roller in my 318 is pretty mild, with 208@050 duration, but it has .506" lift...
for a low comp, street oriented 440, I think most tend to overcam. I'd look at a lunati voodoo 60302 or 60303, using comp #911 springs on the heads. I'd probably steer towards the 60302, especially if you're looking at a stock converter, stock exhaust manifolds, and gearing in the 3.23 or so or taller.
1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!*** 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
|
|
|
|
|